Antimicrobial detergent compositions especially suitable for manual diswashing comprise 0.001-2% iodine ions complexed with an amphoteric surfactant, 5-90% uncomplexed surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and mixture thereof, and 5-50% water. The detergent compositions have pH of 7-10. Preferably at least a portion of the iodine ions are added as an iodine in the form of a compound selected from the group consisting of KI, NaI, KOI, NaOI and Ca(0I)2.